Aric Almirola 2015 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2014 Stats: Points Finish 16th, 0 Poles, 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens, Average Running Position 20.5, Average Finish 21.4, Laps Led 23, Driver Rating 72.0
Strengths – Aric Almirola’s fantasy value will be at its highest at short tracks and select intermediate tracks.
Weaknesses – Look for plate tracks and road courses to give him the most difficulty in 2015. Consistency has also been a weakness for him.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
Aric Almirola can run well at several intermediate tracks but he’s lacked consistency. In the 17 races on this track type in 2014 he had 2 top tens, 5 top fifteens and only 7 top twenties. His average finish was 23.5 and he scored the 26th most points. It should be noted he did have a couple good runs dashed by some form of unfortunate luck. A typical day for him at these venues last season was a mid-teens to mid-twenties result.
In 2015 I would expect him to perform a little better and get around 5 top tens on this track type. RPM is essentially a “car finishing” business and last year to a degree they were at the mercy of Roush Fenway Racing which had a down year.
Look for his best days on this track type to come at Kansas and other 1.5 mile tracks on a sporadic basis.
2015 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule <— Print yours today!
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
Aric Almirola is a middle of the road performer at flat tracks. Last season a typical day for him on this track type was a mid-teens to low twenties result. In five of the seven races on this track type he finished between 15th and 23rd. His two results not in that range were a 6th at New Hampshire and a 35th at Pocono (wreck). For the season on this track type he had a 20.0 average finish and scored the 19th most points. In 2013 on this track type he scored the 18th most points.
Read his teammates fantasy NASCAR preview: Sam Hornish Jr.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
I would consider Aric Almirola as a high-moderate in terms of his fantasy value on short tracks. He’s a driver who’s capable of having sleeper value at all three venues. In 2014 he had one top ten at each track.
Between the three short tracks I think he performs the best at Martinsville. In three of the last six races at that venue he finished in the top ten. In his other three races there he’s finished in the low twenties. Last year he had results of 8th and 21st.
Richmond has been an OK track for him. In 2014 he had results of 10th and 17th. In the last four Richmond races he has a 13.8 average finish.
Bristol has been the least friendly short track to him. He finished third there in spring 2014 but let’s keep in mind how high the attrition race was in that race. To his name he only has one other top ten at Bristol. At Thunder Valley his average finish is 25.5 and he’s finished 35th or worse 54.5% percent of the time.
Check out our Aric Almirola Fantasy NASCAR Portal page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
In July at Daytona Aric Almirola got his first career victory. You’re probably wondering now why I have his fantasy value listed as moderate. He’s raced on this track type 17 times and has only finished in the top ten twice, that’s not good by anyone’s standards.
Prior to his win at Daytona in July 2014 he had never finished in the top ten there. With his Daytona win his average finish is 24.7. Without his Daytona win his average finish there is 28.7. Also it should be noted that in his 7 Daytona starts he has four finishes in the 30’s.
At Talladega Almirola has performed better. He finished 39th in fall 2014 but in the five races prior to that event he had a 16.0 average finish.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Low
A high-teens result is about the best you can expect from Aric Almirola at road courses. In terms of fantasy value I would consider that low. Between the two road courses he’s run better at Watkins Glen. At that New York track he has two 18th place finishes and two results in the thirties. At Sonoma he’s pretty much so performed like his 24.8 average finish. In his four starts at that west coast track he’s finished between 20th and 28th every race.
